CityNews – 23rd September 2019, A World Peace Summit, titled, ‘Legislate Peace’, was recently hosted by an international peace NGO HWPL in South Korea for two days on 18th and 19th of September.
With the aim of building sustainable peace and development, the host organisation has carried out global initiatives including the establishment of international law for peace based on the Declaration Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), promotion of religious harmony through interfaith dialogue, creation of a culture of peace with peace education as well as building peace-actors’ network in the field of media, youth, and women.
The 10 articles and 38 clauses of the DPCW were drafted with the intent of representing marginalised voices of all those yearning for peace at the same time calling the united efforts of states to practice the principles of the declaration, ultimately ceasing all conflicts and hostilities and facilitating peace in a cultural asset.
“On the day of the Peace Summit 5 years ago, politicians determined to support drafting an international law for peace, religious leaders pledged to make religions one under peace, and social representatives promised to encourage and support these efforts. We are gradually achieving the promises. Each country in the globe holds this event. These efforts will be the light in global history. We must be one to fulfil the promised goal – peace,” said Mr Man Hee Lee, Chairman of HWPL.
This year’s summit, in particular, addressed the “Legislate Peace (LP)” project that urges national leaders to support to build a legally binding international framework for peace and cessation of war. The LP project is a global citizen-led peace movement that includes the ‘Peace Letter’ campaign, ‘Sign your Support’ campaign, and ‘Peace Walk’.
Topics covered:
1) Expanding support at international level for introducing the DPCW to the UN General Assembly as a draft resolution
2) Spreading a culture of interfaith understanding and dialogue based on religious scriptures
3) Strengthening the ability of youth and women’s peace network
4) Implementing peace education for building the character of global citizens with peace values
5) Expanding a global peace media network.
As for his support for the DPCW, “I recognize and support the work of HWPL for peace through the international law based on the DPCW, which is an international agreement in which human rights and values are protected among all races, cultures, and borders. Through this work (LP project), the young HWPL volunteers around the world are planting the seed of hope so that future generations can cultivate a culture of peace,” said Vincente Fox Quesada, Former President of Mexico.
Global leaders of politics and religions, representatives of youth and woman organisations, educators, and media persons have agreed to cooperate with HWPL for peace initiatives and support the DPCW by signing MoUs and the partnership agreement.
Along with the resolution on the support for the DPCW by the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) in 2017, the Coalition for Caribbean Leaders for Peace (CCLP) consisting of former heads of states from the Caribbean was established this September to bring the adoption of the DPCW to regional and multilateral organisations and garner the support from national governments.
Marking the 5th Anniversary of the WARP Summit, the summit has been held worldwide with 300,000 participants over 166 locations in 113 countries including South Korea, Germany, New Zealand, Russia, Turkey, the Philippines, Republic of South Africa, and the United Kingdom throughout September.
